Antibacterial Activities of Coelomic Fluid of Local Earthworms against Disease Causing Microorganisms
K. C. Sethulakshmi *
School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills PO, Kottayam, Kerala 686560, India.
R. Lakshmi
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Lakkidi P.O. 673576, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The antibacterial properties of coelomic fluid of local earthworms (Pontoscolex corethrurus, Megascolex konkanensis, Drawida ghatensis) against selected pathogens like Vibrio cholera, Vibrio parahaemoliticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. The study was conducted in School of Environmental Science and College of Veterinary and Animal Science in May 2017 to November 2017. The earthworm was collected on the basis of hand sorting method and Coelomic fluid was collected due to cold shock drips. Antimicrobial activity of coelomic fluid of earthworms was assessed by agar well diffusion method. The result revealed that the maximum inhibition zone of 18 mm and 16 mm showed by coelomic fluid of P. corethrurus and M. konkanensis against S. aureus. The Drawida ghatensis shows least antibacterial activities against selected pathogens. The staphylococcus aureus shows highest inhibition zone against coelomic fluid of all the selected earthworms and least result showing in bacterial isolate vibrio parahaemoliticus. From the study coelomic fluid activity is good for pathogen like salmonella typhi and E. coli and have medicinal values.
Keywords: Antibacterial activity, coelomic fluid, Pontoscolex corethrurus, Megascolex konkanensis, Drawida ghatensis